Guys, I hate the gym so much

[Anonymous]

I second a class of some kind. I did martial arts for a while. Now I do hydrow and the extra cost is worth it to me because it scratches the itch of having another person encourage you without actually being in person.

[Anonymous]

You said you started jogging. Have you tried running outside? I hate the treadmill, 15 minutes feels like an eternity. I'll run outside for an hour. Download an app like Couch to 5k and give it a shot.

[Anonymous]

I am the same way, OP.

What works for me is taking classes that are fun with a non-fitness feel, like dancing (I pretend I am at a disco), paddle boarding, rebound, hiking with friends, etc.

[Anonymous]

boxing!!!!

[Anonymous]

Like other posters, I also hate the gym but have found other physical activities that have some element I enjoy. I find movement to music really satisfying, so dance classes are great, and barre classes that incorporate some choreography (I like Barre3 both in person and online). Stuff that gets me outdoors and feels less like exercise and more like socializing or relaxing are good to, so hiking, rock climbing, and kayaking are favorites (I don't own gear for rock climbing or kayaking -- I just go to a rock climbing gym or rent a kayak for an hour when I decide I want to do that).

I also love fitness challenges. I've done challenges to build up pull ups and push ups, to hold a plank for longer, or some silly challenges like the Bring Sally Up squat challenge (actually not that hard, just kind of fun and a good way to get your squats in -- you can add weight to make it harder, or do it at the end of a leg workout so your working tired). I don't do these all the time, but it's a fun way to incorporate something motivating into my workouts.

For me the key is to make it as little of a chore as possible. I will never be someone who does their workout every day out of habit, like brushing teeth. I always have to be looking for a motivating factor OTHER than just physical fitness. So it has to be fun, or I look forward to who I do it with, or I enjoy the music, or the space I'm working in is beautiful, or something. This does mean changing it up from season to season, being willing to try new stuff (a lot of fitness studios with classes will offer starter packages where you get 3 classes, or a week or two of classes, for a significant discount -- it's fun to try and just see if you like them).

I'll never be a gym rat, but I do stay pretty fit and healthy just by generally prioritizing exercise and never letting myself get complacent with not working out. If I notice I haven't been exercising lately, I go hunting for something that sounds appealing and do that. Whether it's something new or something I've done before but not in a while. All that matters is that I DO SOMETHING. That's it. Just keep it moving.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I cannot find the "exercise I'll keep doing because I enjoy it."

After a lifetime of not exercising, I started jogging. That went fine for a while, but I didn't really enjoy it, so eventually stopped.

I thought biking might be nice, but I distrusted my willingness to keep with it, so I bought a pretty cheap bike and it's heavy and I hate it, so no biking happened.

I decided I'd work out at home with apps. That was a disaster because knowing I can do it anytime meant I did it no time. So then I joined a gym and I've been going religiously but I also hate it and can see it dropping off.

So...what? What can I do? What will stick? I have work and kids so I need something I can do really early in the morning or randomly during breaks in the day. I'm just kind of a physically lazy person but I don't want to be that way.
Any ideas?

Maybe try some classes (if you can leave your house early in the morning)? I think spin classes, barre classes, and dance classes are all pretty fun, and signing up in advance is motivation to go bc otherwise they charge you anyway.

Also, walking is pretty underrated as a form of exercise and is much more pleasant than jogging, without the hassles of needing to change into exercise clothes, shower, redo hair and makeup, etc. Find a podcast series or audiobook you like and only listen to it when you're walking. Finding out who the killer is (or whatever) can be good motivation to put the headphones in and get out there

[Anonymous]

OP - what you do you DO while at the gym? I take the various group classes for several reasons. They are scheduled, so you can't put it off til later. You're in a group, so you can't just decide "I'm done" and stop. I like have the music and studio floor better than the carpet in my basement. There are lots of different classes, so if I get bored with one, I just start going to a different one. I've been rotating around for a few years now.

Also, there is a thing called Class Pass which is a prepaid point system, and then there are a bunch of different gyms that participate. A class at a gym might be 3 points. Then you can go to another gym for a different class. I've done this off and on over the years because I like to try something new but can't afford to pay two gym memberships.

[Anonymous]

I also wonder what you do at the gym? Do you stay in the cardio section? Do you lift weights? If you lift do you have any clue about what to do? Having a plan and starting to see progress is what might help you keep going. Initially it will be a chore but over time it becomes a habit and one day you might actually enjoy it. I used to be like you. Never did any sports, never really worked out, but at 30 I decided to change that and 42 I am in the gym daily and the ultimate resource for all things fitness to my friends and colleagues. I became very fit and I enjoy being one of the strongest women in the gym full of women half my age.

[Anonymous]

Do a month of with a trainer 3-4 days a week to make it a habit. Then take it back to 1 day a week for a couple of months.

[Anonymous]

Do something with a friend. More fun and keeps you accountable. Could be walking, biking, running, some sort of boot camp, or mix it up every day

[Anonymous]

I think we need to know if you're a workout introvert or extrovert. I am extremely introverted about working out. I was trying to do yoga classes, barre, gyms, walking with friends, etc., and covid taught me that I really prefer working out alone.

Now I do a mix of fitness blender strength workouts at home (I have weights and a bench), walking outdoors alone, and online yoga.

I do sit down at the beginning of each week and plan out realistically which I'll have time for and when. Then those workouts are part of my schedule and I tend to stick to it.

[Anonymous]

I'm the same. I have tried SO many different forms of exercise and generally just hate working out. I find it more boring than difficult. I'm also an introvert and uncoordinated, so that makes group classes even more painful for me. However, I recently tried an Orange Theory class and love it. It goes by fast, it changes up, I have someone telling me what to do, and everyone is just concentrating on what they are doing. I'm in my 50s and feel like I may have finally found something I can stick with.

[Anonymous]

op, get a nanny job. Nannies get the best work out and get paid for it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:op, get a nanny job. Nannies get the best work out and get paid for it.

Nonsense and not helpful

[Anonymous]

Do you like to dance or do aerobics exercise? I have elliptical and bike machines at home, but I get tired of those. I found watching Zumba on big screen and dancing with it more fun lately. It motivates me seeing a group of people dancing on tv.